JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

*** All users be aware: UWSpace has been experiencing unusually long wait times during the depositing process. If you are a graduate student depositing a thesis, it is recommended that while the browser is loading that you do not try to close the connection. If you receive an error or a timeout message, please logout and then log back in. Please do not recreate and resend a new thesis deposit. In most cases, despite the error message, your deposit has successfully been sent to be reviewed. You can verify this by checking under the ‘deposits being reviewed page’. We apologize for the inconvenience. We are working hard to resolve this issue quickly. ***

The Process for Adopting Technology in Ontario Municipalities and the Implications for Innovation in Development

View/ Open

Date

Author

Metadata

Statistics

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to provide a stepping stone for technological innovation in the development control process. As a foundational piece of research on this topic, it leverages classic technology adoption theory alongside an investigation of how municipalities adopt innovation for tools of planning, such as geographic information systems.
This thesis provides a qualitative analysis of opportunities and barriers to the potential for the adoption of an online development control process, investigating satisfaction with the current process, perceptions on potential aspects of innovation within the process and willingness to adopt. The survey conducted revealed a gap between perceived versus actual satisfaction with the current process, conflicting views between municipal and consulting planners, and a strong overall interest the ability to submit development control applications online.
This paper found that perceived barriers such as complacency with the current system can be overcome when confronted by innovation; however barriers including capital cost investment are real and require further consideration in the adoption process. Findings from this thesis point to a strong willingness for innovation of the process, especially the conception of an intuitive online development control process.